Best Water Softener Katy, TX: Homeowner Tips for Lasting Water Quality

Katy’s water is a good example of a problem many Texas homeowners don’t see coming: treated municipal water can still be hard enough to leave scale on new fixtures within months. In practical terms, that is why the Best Water Softener Katy, TX conversation matters so much here. Much of greater Katy relies on groundwater from the Gulf Coast Aquifer system or regional blends that still carry substantial calcium and magnesium, and that mineral load is what shortens water-heater efficiency, spots glass, and makes soaps work harder even when the water fully meets EPA drinking standards.

In my review of systems for Katy, one fact stands out right away: this is not a one-utility city. Some households are on the City of Katy utility, while many others are served by MUDs and regional authorities across Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller County. That matters because hardness can vary by district. Still, the recurring pattern across Katy-area municipal supplies is hard to very hard water, commonly landing around the low-teens to high-teens in grains per gallon once converted from calcium hardness data or confirmed by local testing.

Take Araceli and Marcus Nereida in Old Katy near Pin Oak Road. She is a dental hygienist, he is a logistics coordinator, both in their late 30s, and their City of Katy water tested at 14 GPG, or about 239 mg/L as CaCO3. They had already tried a cartridge “scale reducing” filter after seeing white crust form around a brand-new shower head and dishwasher inlet. It did almost nothing for soap use, glass spotting, or the gritty ring around their kettle. Their experience is typical of what I see in Katy: the wrong treatment method gets installed first, then the real softening question comes later.

What follows is a city-specific review of what Katy water is doing inside a home, how to read the local CCR or water-quality report, how to size correctly, and why one system consistently comes out ahead for these conditions.

Key Takeaways

14 GPG is already hard enough to justify true softening in Katy. At roughly 239 mg/L as CaCO3, Araceli and Marcus’s water sits well above the USGS “hard” threshold, which is why spotting, soap inefficiency, and heater scale showed up so fast.
Katy-area municipal water is often disinfected with chloramine or chlorinated groundwater treatment, and that changes resin requirements. An independently reviewed softener with 8% crosslink resin has a clear durability advantage over standard resin in this chemistry.
Upflow regeneration matters more in Katy than many buyers realize. With local hardness commonly around 10–18 GPG, a system that cuts salt use by up to 75% and water use by up to 64% versus typical downflow designs can materially lower 10-year ownership cost.
Dealer-model softeners are heavily marketed around Katy, but value is not the same as visibility. After comparing service-contract brands and big-box alternatives, SoftPro Elite delivers the strongest ROI in its class because it combines lifetime valve/tank warranty coverage with high efficiency and direct support.
The best softener choice in Katy depends on utility district, family size, and actual hardness data. That said, for most city-water homes in the area, a properly sized 48K or 64K ion exchange unit is the real sweet spot.

QUICK ANSWER: The SoftPro Elite Water Softener is my pick as the best overall water softener for Katy, TX because it matches what Katy homes actually need: true ion-exchange softening for roughly 10–18 GPG municipal hardness, 8% crosslink resin that stands up better to chlorinated or chloraminated city water, and upflow regeneration that can save up to 75% on salt and 64% on water versus standard downflow systems. It is also expert recommended for buyers who want professional performance without the dealer-markup and service-contract model common in the Katy market.

#1. Katy Water Profile — Why the Best Water Softener in Katy, TX Must Be Built for Hard Groundwater

Katy water is usually treated for safety, not softened for minerals, so scale control still falls to the homeowner.

Katy is more complicated than a single-utility city. Addresses may be served by the City of Katy, by MUD systems in unincorporated Harris or Fort Bend County, or by regional authorities that blend groundwater with imported surface water. The common thread is that Katy sits in a fast-growing west Houston corridor historically tied to groundwater from the Gulf Coast Aquifer system, especially the Chicot and Evangeline formations. Groundwater in that region tends to pick up dissolved calcium and magnesium as it moves through mineral-bearing sediments, which is why hardness remains a recurring homeowner complaint.

Source water in Katy and why minerals stay in the water

The City of Katy publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report, and many Katy-area MUDs do the same through district websites or operator portals. Those reports focus on regulated contaminants, disinfectant residuals, and treatment compliance. Hardness is a secondary aesthetic issue, so it is not always presented as clearly as chlorine or nitrate. That is where homeowners have to do one extra step: look for calcium hardness data, operator lab sheets, or supplement the CCR with an in-home hardness test.

Based on Katy-area municipal patterns, water commonly falls into the hard or very hard category under USGS classification. Using the standard conversion formula, mg/L as CaCO3 divided by 17.1 equals GPG. So 239 mg/L becomes about 14 GPG. That is exactly where Araceli and Marcus landed in Old Katy, and it explains why their water heater began collecting scale so quickly.

Local complaints I hear most often in Katy

The complaint pattern in Katy is not generic. It is very consistent:

white scaling on black faucets and shower glass
soap not rinsing clean from skin
stiff laundry and dull dark clothing
higher shampoo and detergent use
tea kettles and coffee machines collecting mineral crust
tankless water-heater maintenance becoming more frequent

Because Katy is hot for much of the year, water heating loads are still significant for families, and scale on heating elements reduces efficiency over time. WQA guidance and appliance manufacturer service bulletins both support what local plumbers already know: hard water buildup raises operating costs long before it causes outright failure.

Chlorine versus chloramine in Katy

Many greater Houston-area systems use chloramine disinfection, and some utility districts may operate with chlorinated groundwater treatment depending on their plant setup. Either way, oxidants matter because they slowly attack lower-grade softener resin. That is why a softener that is professional-grade in resin quality matters more in Katy than shoppers often realize. SoftPro Elite uses 8% crosslink ion exchange resin, rated for up to 2 PPM continuous chlorine and typically lasting 15–20 years in city water, where lower-grade resin often sees a shorter service life.

#2. Sizing for Katy Homes — Matching Grain Capacity to Real Katy, Texas Hardness

Most Katy households need a 48K or 64K softener, not the undersized 32K systems often pushed at retail.

Sizing is where many Katy buyers make their most expensive mistake. A softener that is too small regenerates too often, wastes salt, and can create pressure complaints during peak use. A system that is too large can be inefficient if programmed poorly. The correct formula is simple and city specific.

Step-by-step sizing formula for Katy water

Use this formula:

Count people in the home
Multiply by 75 gallons per person per day
Multiply that total by your Katy water hardness in GPG
Add a margin if usage is heavy or hardness varies by district

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Here is what that looks like at 14 GPG:

2 people: 2 × 75 × 14 = 2,100 grains/day
4 people: 4 × 75 × 14 = 4,200 grains/day
6 people: 6 × 75 × 14 = 6,300 grains/day

For most Katy city-water homes, that means:

32K: best for 1–2 people at lower hardness
48K: ideal for 3–4 people in roughly 11–18 GPG conditions
64K: strong fit for 4–5 people or higher daily use
80K: better for larger families with 18+ GPG or multiple bathrooms
110K: for very large households or especially high hardness

Why Araceli and Marcus did not need the cheapest option

The Nereidas originally looked at a smaller big-box model because the sticker price was lower. That would have been a mistake. With two adults, frequent laundry, and guests staying regularly, their real usage pattern pointed to a 48K system rather than a bare-minimum 32K. According to QWT, Jeremy Phillips often sizes from the customer’s actual CCR and usage profile rather than by the crude “one-size-fits-all” retail approach. That sizing discipline is a major reason the SoftPro Elite is expert recommended in hard municipal markets.

Flow rate matters in newer Katy homes

A large share of Katy’s housing stock includes 2- to 4-bathroom suburban homes. Flow rate matters as much as capacity. SoftPro Elite is rated at 15 GPM continuous and 18 GPM peak, which is comfortably within what many Katy households need for simultaneous showers, laundry, and dishwasher use. With municipal pressure typically falling within the normal 40–80 PSI range in the area, the system’s 25–125 PSI operating window is well matched to local conditions.

#3. Upflow Efficiency — The Salt and Water Savings That Matter Most in Katy

At Katy hardness levels, upflow regeneration delivers a real ownership-cost advantage over standard downflow softeners.

This is the feature that most clearly separates premium engineering from ordinary softeners. Many common systems sold around Katy still use downflow regeneration. They work, but they regenerate less efficiently. SoftPro Elite uses upflow regeneration, which means brine and rinse flow through the resin bed in a way that reduces waste and improves salt efficiency.

Why Katy homeowners feel the difference on monthly operating cost

At roughly 12–18 GPG, the regeneration frequency in a busy household adds up quickly. SoftPro Elite can reduce salt use by up to 75% and water use by up to 64% compared with downflow designs. That does not mean every home reaches the maximum savings, but the difference over 10 years is substantial.

For a Katy family using a timer-style or less efficient downflow softener, salt use can easily run hundreds of pounds higher per year than a demand-initiated upflow system. Water used per regeneration also matters because municipal rates in the west Houston area are not static, and repeated waste cycles add to the total cost of ownership.

Reserve capacity is another place cheap systems lose ground

Many standard systems assume 30% or more reserve capacity. SoftPro Elite uses a 15% reserve, which means less “held back” unused capacity and fewer premature regenerations. That matters in Katy because family water usage can spike during summer, school breaks, and holiday hosting. The built-in emergency regeneration cycle can also trigger a 15-minute quick cycle if capacity falls below 3%, which is a meaningful safeguard for larger households.

Comparison with Fleck 5600SXT and Fleck 7000SXT in Katy

The Fleck 5600SXT and Fleck 7000SXT remain widely available in Texas and are familiar to many installers. Both are proven platforms, but in Katy I consistently score the SoftPro Elite higher on efficiency. The key reason is not that Fleck valves are poor; it is that many common Fleck packages sold to homeowners still rely on conventional downflow regeneration and more conservative reserve assumptions.

In real Katy conditions, that means more salt per cycle and more water down the drain over time. SoftPro Elite’s upflow design, 15% reserve capacity, and demand-initiated metering produce lower waste when hardness is in the low- to mid-teens. Add the lifetime warranty on valve and tanks, and the best long-term value case becomes hard to ignore.

#4. Resin Durability — Why Chloramine-Treated Katy Water Punishes Lower-Grade Softeners

Katy homeowners should prioritize 8% crosslink resin because disinfectants can shorten the life of standard resin in city water.

Hardness is only half the story. The disinfectant side of the equation matters too. Whether your Katy address is on chloramine-treated supply or a chlorinated groundwater plant, oxidants degrade resin beads over time. The signs are familiar: reduced softness, more frequent regeneration, resin fouling, or unexplained hardness leakage after just a few years.

What is crosslink resin?

What is crosslink resin? Crosslink resin is the ion-exchange media inside a softener that swaps hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium for sodium. Higher crosslink percentages improve resistance to chlorine-related breakdown in treated municipal water.

SoftPro Elite uses 8% crosslink resin. That is an important number, not a marketing flourish. In chlorinated or chloraminated city water, 8% crosslink resin typically outlasts standard resin, often reaching 15–20 years of service life under normal municipal conditions. That longer lifespan is one reason the unit earns a field proven reputation in city-water applications.

Why this matters in Katy specifically

Katy’s rapid suburban growth means many homeowners buy on aesthetics first and treatment chemistry second. Yet the local chemistry demands better media. On chlorine tolerance, SoftPro Elite is rated for up to 2 PPM continuous chlorine. That is directly relevant because municipal disinfectant residuals in treated systems are usually measured in that low-ppm range, not in abstract terms.

For Araceli and Marcus, resin life was not just a technical issue. They wanted to avoid buying another “budget” system in 7–8 years. That is precisely why the longer resin life changed their cost comparison.

Comparison with Culligan in the Katy market

Culligan has strong visibility in the Houston-Katy market, and many homeowners get a quote from them first. The brand’s local presence and service network are real strengths. Where SoftPro Elite pulls ahead in my review is long-term ownership structure. Dealer-model systems often come with higher installed pricing, recurring service dependency, or contract expectations that do not always translate into better chemistry handling.

SoftPro Elite is recommended by water quality specialists because it pairs 8% crosslink resin with direct-to-homeowner support and efficient regeneration rather than relying on dealer overhead to justify the package. For Katy buyers who care about resin durability but do not want the service-contract model, that distinction matters.

#5. CCR Reading Guide — How to Use Katy’s Water Report to Choose the Best Water Softener for Katy, Texas

The right number to look for in a Katy water report is hardness or calcium hardness, then convert it to GPG before sizing.

Katy homeowners often read the CCR and miss the one figure they actually need. The annual report tells you the water is compliant, but it does not always make hardness obvious. You may need to look at a utility water-quality sheet, district lab results, or call the operator.

Where to find Katy water reports

Start here:

City of Katy residents: check the City of Katy utilities or public works section for the annual Consumer Confidence Report
MUD residents: check your district website, operator portal, or annual water-quality notice
Regional authority customers: look for annual drinking water quality reports from the supplying authority

Because Katy is served by multiple entities, the report location depends entirely on address. That is one of the biggest local differences versus single-utility cities like San Antonio or Austin.

How to convert the number

If your report lists hardness as mg/L as CaCO3, divide by 17.1.

Examples:

171 mg/L = 10 GPG
239 mg/L = 14 GPG
308 mg/L = 18 GPG

If the report gives calcium but not full hardness, you may need a local test to confirm. Independent testing shows that in Katy’s patchwork utility environment, a simple in-home test often closes the data gap left by the CCR.

Why this helps you avoid overspending or undersizing

A buyer who guesses at 8 GPG when the home is actually 15 GPG can undersize badly. A buyer who assumes 20 GPG everywhere in Katy may overspend. The third-party tested approach is simple: use the local report where available, confirm with a home test if needed, then size from real data. That evidence-first method is one reason I rate SoftPro Elite as the overall top choice for buyers who want the system matched to Katy water rather than sold from a script.

#6. Competitive Review — How SoftPro Elite Stacks Up Against Katy’s Most Marketed Alternatives

SoftPro Elite outperforms the most common Katy alternatives on efficiency, true hardness removal, and long-term cost structure.

Katy shoppers usually see three broad categories: dealer brands, big-box softeners, and salt-free conditioners or descalers. The differences are bigger than the advertising suggests.

SoftPro Elite versus Whirlpool WHES40E

Whirlpool’s WHES40E is accessible and familiar because it is sold through big retail channels. For some buyers, that convenience is attractive. The problem in Katy is that heavy hardness quickly exposes the limits of entry-level design. A 40,000-grain class system can work in lighter-demand situations, but the combination of lower efficiency, shorter expected component life, and consumer-grade construction becomes more noticeable in a 14–18 GPG environment.

SoftPro Elite wins on flow, reserve strategy, resin quality, and warranty. With 15 GPM continuous flow, 8% crosslink resin, and lifetime coverage on valve and tanks, it behaves more like a professional-grade build quality at a direct-to-homeowner price than a retail appliance purchase. For a Katy family planning to stay in the home, that difference is not subtle.

SoftPro Elite versus Culligan

Culligan’s strength is local recognition and full-service installation. For homeowners who want a dealership relationship and are comfortable paying for it, that may still appeal. My concern in Katy is total cost of ownership. Dealer models often bundle margin, ongoing maintenance expectations, and less transparency around replacement-part economics.

SoftPro Elite, by contrast, is the more financially the smartest choice for city water in many Katy cases because it avoids dealer markup, still offers lifetime valve/tank warranty protection, and gives homeowners direct access to support. Craig Phillips, who founded SoftPro Water Systems, built the brand around that direct model, while Jeremy Phillips is widely noted by buyers for helping translate hardness reports into correct sizing rather than overselling capacity.

SoftPro Elite versus NuvoH2O and salt-free approaches

NuvoH2O and similar salt-free conditioners appeal to buyers trying to avoid salt handling. In Katy, that choice usually creates disappointment if the homeowner expects soft-water results. Salt-free systems do not remove hardness minerals. They may reduce some scale adhesion under certain conditions, but they do not deliver the 99.6%+ true hardness removal associated with ion exchange softening.

That distinction matters because Katy’s biggest complaints are not abstract chemistry issues; they are soap inefficiency, etched fixtures, scale inside heaters, and buildup on valves. For those problems, SoftPro Elite is simply the right technology. It is the system families recommend to neighbors after failed conditioner experiments because it solves the actual mineral problem rather than working around it.

#7. Installation Reality in Katy — Pressure, Code, and Practical Setup Notes

Most Katy homes are compatible with SoftPro Elite, but buyers should still check pressure, drain access, and local plumbing requirements before installation.

The good news is that Katy is generally an easy city-water softener market from an installation standpoint. You are not usually dealing with severe sediment the way private-well owners do. Most municipal installations also fit standard bypass and drain layouts.

Pressure and plumbing compatibility

SoftPro Elite operates from 25 to 125 PSI. Katy municipal pressure is typically within the standard residential range, commonly around 40–80 PSI depending on district elevation, booster infrastructure, and time of use. That makes compatibility straightforward for most homes.

Its 15 GPM continuous and 18 GPM peak flow also fit the demands of many Katy houses with multiple bathrooms. That matters more in subdivisions where simultaneous showering is routine.

Code and setup notes to verify locally

Before installing, confirm:

whether your district or municipality requires a permit
whether a drain air gap is required
whether a backflow device or expansion tank setup is already present
that a nearby electrical outlet is available
that the drain line route complies with local code

A GFCI-protected outlet is typically preferred in utility-room or garage environments. The built-in bypass valve is also useful because it preserves city-water service during maintenance or regeneration.

Do you need a sediment pre-filter in Katy?

For most Katy municipal water homes, no sediment pre-filter is required. That is one advantage of treated city water. Exceptions do exist after line work, in neighborhoods with visible particulate episodes, or where older internal plumbing sheds debris. QWT’s support structure includes helping buyers decide whether a pre-filter is necessary, and that kind of practical guidance is one reason installers often view the system as trusted by licensed plumbers familiar with normal city-water setups.

FAQ

How hard is the water in Katy and what does that mean for my home?

Katy water is commonly hard to very hard, and many homes test in the rough range of 10–18 GPG depending on the utility district and source blend. That means enough calcium and magnesium are present to leave scale in water heaters, dishwashers, faucets, coffee makers, and shower glass.

For your home, the effects are cumulative rather than dramatic at first. Soap lathers poorly, shampoo takes longer to rinse, towels feel stiff, and appliances lose efficiency. In a city like Katy, where many households are served by groundwater-based or blended municipal supplies, that mineral load is completely normal but still damaging over time. The homeowner favorite systems in this market tend to be true ion-exchange models because they actually remove hardness rather than just masking scale.

Where does Katy’s water come from and why does it cause hard water?

Katy does not have one universal source. Depending on address, water may come from local groundwater wells tied to the Gulf Coast Aquifer system, from a regional authority, or from a blend that includes imported surface water. Groundwater sources in this part of Texas commonly contain elevated dissolved calcium and magnesium from contact with mineral-bearing formations.

That geology is the cause of Katy’s persistent hardness. Municipal treatment removes pathogens and manages disinfectant residuals, but it does not soften water. So the water can be fully compliant with EPA drinking standards and still create scale. That is why the SoftPro Elite remains the expert recommended solution here: it targets the actual mineral load rather than secondary symptoms.

Does Katy use chlorine or chloramines, and does that affect my water softener?

Many greater Houston-area systems, including utilities serving Katy-area neighborhoods, use chloramine or chlorinated treatment processes. Yes, that affects a softener because oxidants gradually degrade standard resin.

The practical takeaway is simple:

chlorinated or chloraminated water shortens lower-grade resin life
8% crosslink resin holds up better
properly sized systems regenerate more predictably
resin life expectations improve when the chemistry is matched correctly

SoftPro Elite’s 8% crosslink resin is designed for up to 2 PPM continuous chlorine and typically lasts 15–20 years in city-water conditions. That makes it a stronger fit for Katy than basic resin packages.

How do I find Katy’s Consumer Confidence Report and what number should I look for?

City of Katy residents should start with the city utilities or public works page and look for the annual Consumer Confidence Report. If you live in a MUD, search the district name plus “CCR” or “water quality report.” Many Katy-area districts post them through operator sites.

The number you want is hardness, calcium hardness, or a related mineral measurement. If hardness is shown in mg/L as CaCO3, divide by 17.1 to get GPG. That one conversion is the key step for sizing. If the report does not list hardness clearly, use a home test and compare it against your district’s published chemistry.

What size SoftPro Elite do I need for Katy’s water at 14 GPG?

For 14 GPG water, the right size depends mostly on household size and daily use. In Katy, most 3–4 person homes land in 48K territory, while many 4–5 person homes do better with a 64K.

A quick guide:

1–2 people: often 32K
3–4 people: usually 48K
4–5 people: often 64K
5–6 people: often 80K
very large households: 110K

Araceli and Marcus at 14 https://landenhgvl953.iamarrows.com/best-water-softener-katy-tx-your-guide-to-healthier-softer-household-water GPG were best matched to a 48K because their usage pattern exceeded bare-minimum assumptions. That is why sizing from actual data matters more than guessing from square footage.

Is a 48K or 64K grain SoftPro Elite better for a family of four in Katy?

For a typical family of four in Katy, the 48K is usually the better starting point if hardness is around 11–18 GPG and usage is normal. The 64K becomes the smarter choice if the home has heavier laundry demand, frequent guests, multiple simultaneous showers, or hardness nearer the upper end of the local range.

The benefit of getting this right is fewer unnecessary regenerations and better salt efficiency. Because SoftPro Elite uses demand-initiated metering and a 15% reserve capacity, either size can be programmed efficiently, but the 64K provides more cushion in high-demand suburban households.

Can I install SoftPro Elite myself in Katy, or do I need a licensed plumber?

Many Katy homeowners with moderate plumbing confidence can install a SoftPro Elite themselves, especially in homes with accessible loop plumbing in a garage or utility room. The system is DIY-friendly and uses quick-connect style installation features.

Still, a licensed plumber is the safer route if:

you need to cut into the main line
a drain line must be added
local code or permit rules are unclear
your pressure setup includes expansion or backflow devices that need review

From a review standpoint, this is where SoftPro Elite beats many service-dependent brands. It gives you the choice: DIY with support, or hire a local plumber without being locked into a dealer network.

Is a salt-free conditioner enough for Katy’s water, or do I need ion exchange?

For most Katy homes, a salt-free conditioner is not enough if the goal is to stop hard-water symptoms. Katy’s issue is real dissolved hardness, and only ion exchange actually removes those minerals.

Salt-free units may reduce some scale adhesion, but they do https://johnathanjgdw314.almoheet-travel.com/best-water-softener-katy-tx-is-a-whole-house-system-right-for-you not deliver soft-water feel, soap savings, or appliance protection in the same way. If your shower glass, heater, faucets, and dishwasher already show mineral deposits, a true softener is the better answer. That is why SoftPro Elite remains the most cost-effective city water softener in this market despite a higher upfront price than some conditioner systems.

What is the total cost of owning SoftPro Elite over 10 years in Katy?

Ten-year ownership cost depends on local hardness, household size, installation method, and salt pricing, but SoftPro Elite usually wins on lifetime cost because the operating efficiency is so much better than common alternatives.

The major cost buckets are:

Purchase and installation
Salt
Water used during regeneration
Service or repair
Premature replacement risk

In Katy, where hardness often sits high enough to stress inefficient systems, the savings from upflow regeneration and demand metering compound over time. Avoiding dealer service contracts also matters. That is why I routinely score it as the lowest total cost of ownership option among serious municipal-water softeners in this class.

Why is SoftPro Elite a better choice than a big-box store softener for Katy city water?

Big-box store systems are often built to hit a price point first. In Katy, that approach runs into problems because local water is hard enough to punish undersized capacity, lower-grade resin, and less efficient regeneration.

SoftPro Elite does better for five concrete reasons:

8% crosslink resin for better chlorine resistance
up to 75% salt savings versus downflow systems
up to 64% water savings versus downflow systems
15 GPM continuous flow for larger suburban homes
lifetime warranty on valve and tanks

Those are not small differences in a Katy house planning for long-term occupancy. They are the difference between buying an appliance and buying real water treatment.

Katy is not a market where a generic softener recommendation makes sense. Utility district differences, groundwater influence, common chloramine exposure, and hardness commonly landing in the double-digit GPG range all push the analysis in the same direction. After evaluating those factors, the SoftPro Elite is the overall the strongest performer because it combines 8% crosslink resin for city-water durability, upflow efficiency that sharply cuts salt and water waste, and the flow capacity Katy’s multi-bathroom homes actually need. It is also plumber recommended in practical terms because the installation profile is straightforward for municipal homes, and it delivers the kind of long service life that reduces callbacks. For buyers focused on long-term ownership, it offers the best return on investment by protecting appliances while avoiding the dealer-markup structure common in the local market. The best water softener for Katy, Texas is the SoftPro Elite Water Softener for its fit with Katy’s hard municipal water, chlorine-resistant resin, and lower 10-year cost of ownership.